Legend of the Shadow Clan #4Written by David Wohl and Brad Foxhoven Illustrated by Cory Smith Colored by John Starr Lettered by Josh Reed Covers by Cory Smith and John StarrAspen Comics Release Date: May 8, 2013 Cover Price: $3.99

Holy ninja throwing star! Legend of the Shadow Clan #4 is exactly how a penultimate issue for a story-arc should resemble. Aspen Comics truly has a gem with this urban ninja story written by David Wohl and Brad Foxhoven with art from Cory Smith.

The fourth issue begins right where the third’s cliffhanger left off: teenage wonder-child, Morgan Himura is attacked by a group of heavily armed ninja assassins at a dance club in Chelsea, Manhattan. Able to fend them off with some kick-butt, innate action moves—with a little help from the mysterious twin sisters—she soon meets up with her brother, Braydon and their secretive grandfather who are also on the run from ninjas. Meanwhile, during his investigation of the disappearance of a friend, their younger brother, Pogo, uses his expert hacking skills and makes a startling discovery that will place his siblings and grandfather in immediate jeopardy. Questions are answered and more emerge as the Himura children fight for their lives while their parents are in the custody of the very man responsible for the attacks: Koji Tokurei.

Wohl and Foxhoven do an excellent job with the pacing of this series. Nothing about this issue seems cluttered or forced. All of the events and character development in prior issues were expertly crafted and placed, allowing for mainly action and adventure to serve as a lead into the final issue of the first arc.

Smith’s illustrations are terrific. In a fast paced comic like Legend of the Shadow Clan, there is quite a bit of movement, whether it be from various fights, chases or dancing. This is where Smith excels. He has an eye for sequence and perspective.

Reading Legend of the Shadow Clan #4 made me wish that I could run up walls and backflip over bystanders. I can’t wait to read issue five. I’ll probably read it in the shadows, very stealthily, because that’s what aspiring ninjas do.